The semiautomatic gun was discovered by a 9-year-old boy at the Muvico theater complex in Centro Ybor.

The boy's father, Wesley Noland, told 10 News on Monday that he secured the weapon and called police after his son found the Glock 26.

"I think the gentleman should be punished. He should have to answer for what he did. He put a lot of people's lives in jeopardy," Noland said about the owner of the gun on Monday.

The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office says the handgun belonged to Detective Luke Hussey. Hussey reportedly took the gun off while he was using the restroom before watching a movie. He realized he left the gun behind about 90 minutes later, and by that time, Tampa Police had already been called and impounded the weapon.

The Sheriff's Office says it has begun an administrative investigation into the incident.